Inking pad and use thereof

ABSTRACT

An inking pad is formed of a porous mat of glass fibers bonded with a thermosetting resin binder, the mat providing an ink reservoir which disperses ink contained therein to the surface thereof. The pad preferably also includes a cloth cover on the surface of the mat providing an inking surface on the pad. An ink applicator constitutes the inking pad and ink contained therein. An inking pad unit includes a holder for the inking pad, having structure for mounting in an inking device. An inking device includes the inking pad and means for mounting the inking pad for transmitting ink to a surface to be inked. A method of supplying ink to a surface evenly and with controlled flow of ink involves placing a surface to be inked in inking relation to the inking pad containing ink.

[ 1 July25, 1972 [54] INKING PAD AND USE THEREOF [72] Inventors: GerhardK. Roser; Eugene J. Rebechini,

both of Mount Prospect; Guy M. Vosburg, Park Ridge, all of I11.

Weber Marking Systems, Inc., Arlington Heights, 111.

22 Filed: Aug. 25, 1969 21 App1.No.: 852,567

[73] Assignee:

[52] U.S.Cl ..101/125, 101/327, 101/333, 118/264, 222/187 [51] Int. Cl...B4ll 27/26, B41f 31/24, B41k 1/42 [58] FieldofSearch..101/125,327,333,368; 401/198, 199; 222/187; 118/264-271; 29/132 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1950 Ximenez et a1. ..29/132 X2/1962 Davis 2,006,364 7/1935 Morse ..101/348 X 2,466,785 4/1949Schreyer. ....401/198 2,651,255 9/1953 Wallich lOl/125 3,004,941 10/1961 Mestdagh et a1 ..260/29.4 3,063,887 11/1962 Labino ....264/3243,204,871 9/1965 Callander... 222/187 X 3,277,819 10/1966 Berkland101/125 3,335,660 8/1967 Vosburg.... ....l01/l25 3,442,209 5/1969Funahashi ..101/327 Primary Examiner-Clyde l. Coughenour Attorney-JohnS. O'Brien [57] ABSTRACT An inking pad is formed of a porous mat ofglass fibers bonded with a thermosetting resin binder, the mat providingan ink reservoir which disperses ink contained therein to the surfacethereof. The pad preferably also includes a cloth cover on the surfaceof the mat providing an inking surface on the pad. An ink applicatorconstitutes the inking pad and ink contained therein. An inking pad unitincludes a holder for the inking pad, having structure for mounting inan inking device. An inking device includes the inking pad and means formounting the inking pad for transmitting ink to a surface to be inked. Amethod of supplying ink to a surface evenly and with controlled flow ofink involves placing a surface to be inked in inking relation to theinking pad containing ink.

9 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJMS I972 3.678.848

sum 1 or 6 INVENTORS GERHARD K. ROSER EUGENE J REBECHINI BY GUY M.VOSBURG AT TO R NEY PATENTEDJUL 25 I972 sum 2 nr 6 INVENTORS GERHARD K.ROSER EUGENE J. REBECHINI BY GUY M. VOSBURG PATENTEDJUL25 2 3.678348 sum3 or g GERHARD K. ROSER EUGENE J REBECHINI GUY M. VOSBURC,

AI lURNl-Y PATENTEDJuws I972 SHEEI 5 0F 6 INVENTORS GERHARD K. ROSEREUGENE J. REBECHINI BY cu M VOSBURG ATTORNEY FIG.I5

PATENTED L 912 3.678.848

SHEEI 6 0F 6 INVENTCRS GERHARD K. ROSER BY GUY M. VOSBURG 5. O'BmATTORNEY EUGENE J. REBECHlNi INKING PAD AND USE THEREOF BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION This invention relates to an inking pad and its use.

Inking pads have been formed of numerous and varied materials, includingfibrous, porous elastomeric, and porous plastic materials. The priormaterials have varying fluid retention capabilities and saturationcapacities. Materials having low fluid retention and/or saturationproperties require frequent re-inking, to maintain a sufficient inksupply and/or to avoid excessive surface concentrations or leakage ofink where retention is poor. In applications involving the supply of inkto the pad during use, saturation capacity represents a less significantfactor, but fluid retention capability remains important. The ability tore-ink the pad and the ease of re-inking also are important in suchapplications.

Probably the most vexing problem in the use of inking pads concernsmetering control, that is, control of the ink flow to the surface of theinking pad without overinking or leakage. The materials in common use,especially in applications involving a continuing ink supply, tend tooverink, and ink drips from the pad when saturated, owing to relativelypoor fluid retention properties. In order to minimize this problem, padsare inked below their capacity, and in the case of pads continuouslysupplied with ink, valving arrangements are provided to control the flowof ink to the pad. Nevertheless, changes in temperature, atmosphericpressure, and viscosity of the various inks makes metering controldifficult and unreliable.

Additional problems concern the properties of the pad materials. Theneoprene rubber and plastic foams used for pad materials have a tendencyto swell after saturation with inks. This distorts the printing surfaceof the pad and also the cellular structure of the foam materials. Theintended fluid reten tion properties are, therefore, upset, causing thepad to overink or leak. An even printing surface and proper metering ofink to the surface are two of the most important properties a wellfunctioning printing applicator must have.

The rubber and plastic pad materials have substantial compressibility,so that ink is squeezed out of the pad when subjected to substantialstamping or printing pressure on the inking surface. Consequently,valving has been needed for accommodating the ink expressed from thepad, to prevent ink from being forced out in normally sealed locations.Also, for these and other materials, an ink distributor screen has beennecessary for distributing the ink from a source of supply or areservoir across the area of the pad in the process of continuouslysupplying ink thereto. Otherwise, locally high concentrations of inkwere formed in the pad, especially in the center.

A more specific problem with prior pad materials concerns the organicsolvent-containing inks, especially the fastdrying printing inks. Suchinks not only cause swelling problems in neoprene and certain plastics,but they dry out within the pads and stop the flow of ink unless specialmeasures are taken to keep the pad usable, as by keeping the pad in asolvent vapor atmosphere when not in use. The ink drys within the padowing to the inspiration of air by the pad upon relaxation following padcompression.

A popular ink applicator of the prior art overcomes problems occasionedby poor fluid retention but is limited in its application. Suchapplicator is formed of a pad of microporous thermoplastic resinmaterial having an ink incorporated in the material during itsmanufacture. While the applicator is useful as a self-contained unit, itcan only be made with a limited selection of inks, and its re-inkabilityis limited. The type of ink required limits stencil printing use tonitrocellulose-coated stencils, inasmuch as the ink destroys otherstencil emulsions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a new andimproved inking pad which overcomes the deficiencies of the prior artand provides important advantages thereover. In the invention, an inkingpad is formed of a porous mat of glass fibers bonded with athermosetting resin binder, the mat providing an ink reservoir whichdisperses ink contained therein to the surface thereof. In a preferredembodiment of the invention, a cloth cover on the surface of the matprovides an inking surface on the pad. An ink applicator according tothe invention includes the inking pad and an ink contained in the mat.

The invention also provides an inking pad unit for mounting in an inkingdevice which includes the inking pad, a holder secured to the holder,and means on the pad for fastening the unit in an inking device. Animproved inking device according to the invention includes the inkingpad and means for mounting the inking pad for transmitting ink to asurface to be inked. Preferred inking devices include hand stamps orprinters, mimeograph duplicating machines, and offset printers.

The invention further provides a method of supplying ink to a surfaceevenly and with controlled flow of ink which involves placing a surfaceto be inked in ink-transmitting relation to the inking pad containing anink.

The inking pad of the invention has outstanding ink retention propertiestogether with good saturation capacity, rendering the pad eminentlysuitable for use both as a self-contained ink applicator and incontinuous ink supply systems for a wide variety of applications. Ink issupplied to the surface of the pad evenly and with controlled flow ofink, with no concentration of ink appearing on the pad surface evenduring long rest periods, and with no leakage. The transfer of ink to asurface to be inked likewise is highly uniform and remains so throughoutextended use, whether the pad is employed as a self-contained inkapplicator or in a system supplying additional ink thereto.

The inking pad has been found to be equally useful with all printinginks yet tried, whether oil, water, oil-water or solvent base, includingespecially solvent-containing fast-drying and other stencil printinginks. The inking pad is impervious to any known ink base material inindustrial use, and it does not swell or distort with any of the inks.No control of ink viscosity is required, and normal variations inatmospheric temperature and pressure conditions pose no problems. Thesolvent-containing fast drying inks do not dry within the pad whensaturated, owing to negligible air inspiration into the pad.

The inking pad is readily re-inked, whether for use as a selfcontainedink applicator or in a system employing continuous ink supply. Ink isabsorbed into the pad rapidly and is homogeneously distributedthroughout, so that no distributor device is needed in the continuousink supply systems for even flow and inking. No valving is required,either for supplying ink to the pad or for return flow of ink from thepad in use.

The new inking pad having the foregoing characteristics is useful insubstantially any application where an ink transfer is necessary. Amongthe many uses of the pad are in hand stamps or printers of varioustypes, stamp pads, inking rolls or pads for printing machines, markingand numbering devices, computer printers, and accounting machines, andmimeograph machines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The attached drawings illustratepreferred embodiments of the invention without limitation thereto. Inthe drawings, like elements are identified by like reference symbols ineach of the views, and:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable hand stamp or printeraccording to the invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are, respectively, transverse and longitudinal sectionalviews thereof;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inking pad thereof;

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of another embodiment of a handstamp according to the invention, having a removable inking pad unit;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the inking pad unit of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7,8 and 9 are, respectively, transverse sectional, longitudinalsectional, and bottom plan views of an additional embodiment of a handstamp according to the invention, having a removable inking pad unit,means for securing a stencil on the surface of the inking pad, and inksupply means;

FIGS. and 11 are, respectively, transverse and longitudinal sectionalviews of a further embodiment of a hand stamp according to theinvention, having a rocker type construction and including a removableinking pad unit and means for securing a stencil on the surface of theinking pad;

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of a still further embodimentof a hand stamp according to the invention, having a rocker typeconstruction, a removable inking pad unit, stencil securing means, andink supply means;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a stencil drum for a mimeographduplicating machine according to the invention;

FIG. 14 is a transverse sectional view of the stencil drum of FIG. 13,taken on line l414 thereof;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the stencil drumof FIG. 13, also illustrating drive structure connected thereto;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of apparatus for offset printing accordingto the invention;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of an ink roller attachment inthe apparatus of FIG. 16; and

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary elevational and partly sectional view of a matdrum and drive structure connected thereto in the apparatus of FIG. 16.

DESCRIPTIONOF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, theillustrative preferred embodiments of the inking pad of the inventionare shown in the several views incorporated in preferred inking devicesof the invention. In FIGS. l-4, a disposable hand stamp or hand printer10 having a generally rectangular inking pad 12 is illustrated. Inaddition to the pad, the stamp includes means for mounting the padconstituting a rectangular hollow frame or backing member 14 having acentral circular opening 16 therethrough, a hollow handle 18 mounted onthe frame and extending into the Opening 16, and a plug 20 inserted intothe inner open end of the handle. The hand stamp 10 is intended for useas a disposable or throwaway stamp, to be discarded when the ink contentis exhausted.

The inking pad 12 is formed or constructed of a porous mat 22 of glassfibers bonded with a thermosetting resin binder, the mat providing anink reservoir which disperses ink contained therein to the surfacethereof. The mat 22 is a generally rectangular body having a concaveinner, ink-receiving surface 23 and a flat outer, inking surface 26. Thepad also includes a cloth cover 24 on the inking surface 26 of the mat22, covering the mat surface and providing an inking surface 28 on thepad.

The materials of which the mat 22 and the cover 24 are formed arebasically the same for the several inking pads employed in the variousinking devices illustrated in the drawings, and are described in greaterdetail hereinafter.

The edges of the mat 22 are sealed by a layer or coat 30 ofadhesive-sealer, which serves to prevent the escape of ink at the edges.The cover 24 is secured to the mat 22 at the edges and on the innersurface 23 of the mat, adjacent the edges, by the sameadhesive-sealer asis employed for sealing the edges. A suitable oil, water andsolvent-resistant adhesive-sealer is employed, and in the illustrativeembodiments of the invention, it is a conventional heat-cured orairdried solvent base nitrile adhesive suitable for use with, interalia, synthetics, metals, fabrics, fibers, and foams. In use, the pad 12is impregnated with ink, and the ink-containing pad provides an inkapplicator, for applying ink from the inking surface 28 of the pad to asurface to be inked.

The frame 14 and the handle 18 preferably are one-piece members moldedof thermoplastic synthetic resin. The frame includes an inner peripheralshoulder 32 which receives the pad 12 thereon, nested in the frame. Theinner corners of the pad are secured to the shoulder by a layer 34 ofthe adhesive employed on the pad. The frame 14 forms an additional inkreservoir 35 with the pad 12, communicating with the inner,ink-receiving surface 23 of the mat 22. Longitudinally extending spacedreinforcing ribs 36 extend in the reservoir 35 from the inner surface ofthe frame 14 to the inner surface 23 of the mat. The ribs both reinforcethe frame 14 and support the pad 12 when pressure is applied thereto.

The handle 18 includes a neck 38 which is received in the centralopening 16 in the frame 14, where the handle and the frame are securedtogether as by fusion or an adhesive. The plug 20, of rubber or othersuitable material, is optional, and when employed, is inserted in theneck 38 of the handle. The pad 12 is saturated with ink in manufacturingthe hand stamp 10, and the stamp may be used without additional inksupply until the ink is exhausted. If desired, additional ink may besupplied to the reservoir 35 during assembly, and if a greater supply ofink is desired, the plug 20 may be omitted and the handle 18 filled withink during assembly, for greater stamp life.

The hand stamp 10 is designed particularly for simple, convenient use inprinting with small stencils, of area corresponding to the area of theinking surface 28 of the pad 12. Such stencils are used for addressingand labelling purposes, such as when it is desired to imprint cartons orother containers with consignee information. A stencil is placed on theinking surface 28 of the inking pad 12 and adheres thereto, and thehandle 18 is grasped by the user for placing the pad in ink-transmittingrelation to a surface to be inked. The stencil is placed in contact withthe surface, and ink flows through the stencil openings onto the surfaceto form a stencil print thereon. A stencil will adhere to the inkingsurface 28 without other means for securing the stencil thereon, for alimited number of printings, e.g., 25 printings.

The mat 22 serves to retain the ink contained therein withoutover-inking, yet disperses the ink to its inking surface 26 evenly andwith controlled flow of ink as contact is made with a surface to beinked. The cover 24 further improves the evenness of application fromthe pad surface 28 and metering control, while providing additionaladvantages, as described subsequently. The sealing means provided by thesealing layer 30 on the mat edges and by the closed frame 14 sealed tothe comers of the pad 12 by the sealing layer 34 limits the transmissionof ink from the stamp to transmission from the pad inking surface 28.There is no leakage or dripping either from the pad inking surface 28,or from or around the edges of the pad 12.

The hand stamp 10 is also long lasting. As an example, it was found thatwhen the hand stamp 10 was used in the foregoing manner, a pad 12 havinga one-fourth inch thick mat 22, saturated with ink and having noadditional supply of ink, produced between 10,000 and 15,000 goodstencil prints, depending on the letter size cut on the stencil. Whenthe print becomes light, indicating exhaustion of the ink, the stamp maybe discarded.

It will be apparent that a device similar to the hand stamp 10 may beemployed as a stamp pad, substituting an imperforated frame or case forthe frame 14 and the handle 18. Such stamp pad may serve for inkingrubber stamps and the like as in office work, in which case it may beprovided with a lid or closure, or it may be mounted on apparatus orequipment for inking metal, rubber or other printing characters, such asa numbering device. The stamp pad likewise is long-lasting and may bemade economically, so that it may be discarded and replaced when the inkis exhausted, with no necessity for a reinking operation.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a hand stamp 42 similar to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-4 but having a removable or detachable inking pad unit 44intended for disposal and replacement as the ink contained in the padunit becomes exhausted. The stamp 42 includes the pad unit 44, arectangular hollow frame 46, and a hollow handle 48.

The pad unit 44 includes an inking pad 50 formed of a mat 52 of bondedglass fibers and a cloth cover 54. The mat 52 is a generally rectangularbody having a flat outer inking surface 56 and a concave inner surface58. The edges of the mat are sealed by a layer 60 of adhesive-sealer, ofthe type previously described.

The pad unit 44 also includes a rectangular hollow holder or subframe62, preferably molded of plastic. The holder includes an innerperipheral shoulder 64 receiving the inner corners of the mat 52, andlongitudinally extending reinforcing ribs 66 extending to the innersurface 58 of the mat. The holder 62 is secured to the corners of themat 52 by a coat of the same adhesive as employed for the sealing layer60. The cover 54 extends over the inking surface 56 of the mat, aroundthe edges of the mat, and over the edges of the holder, to which thecover is secured by a layer 70 of the same adhesive. A central opening68 is provided in the holder, and the wall thereof is threaded forfastening the pad unit 44 in the stamp 42.

The pad unit 44 is received telescopically within the stamp frame 46,which has a central opening 72 registering with the threaded opening ofthe holder 62. A sealing gasket 74 of rubber or other suitable materialis inserted between the holder 62 and the frame 46. The assembly iscompleted by the handle 48 having a threaded neck 76, with the neckinserted through the frame opening 72 into threaded engagement in theholder opening 68, securing the parts together.

The hand stamp 42 is intended for use in the same manner as theembodiment of FIGS. l-4, except that the pad unit 44 may be unfastenedfrom the handle 48, discarded, and replaced by a fresh pad unit when theink becomes exhausted, while the frame 46 and the handle remain inservice. There is no necessity for the consumer to ink the pad or supplyink to the device. It will be noted, however, that the holder 62 formsan additional ink reservoir 78 with the pad 50, whereby if desired, anadditional supply of ink may be contained in the stamp 42 behind the mat52, for absorption at the inner surface 58 thereof. Ink may be addedthrough the frame and holder openings 72 and 68, and if further desired,the handle 48 may be filled with ink. As in the preceding embodiment,the frame 46 and the handle 48 may be constructed of plastic, or othersuitable materials of construction may be employed.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate a stencil holding hand stamp 80, similar to thepreceding embodiments and also having structure for supplying the stampwith ink and for clamping a stencil on the stamp. The stamp 80 includesa rectangular inking pad unit 82 similar to the pad unit 44 of FIGS. 5and 6, a rectangular hollow frame 84 similar to the frame 46 of FIG. 5,a bottle adapter 86 secured to the frame, and a squeeze bottle 88serving both as an ink container and as a handle for the stamp.

As in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the pad unit 82 includes aninking pad 90 formed of a porous bonded glass fiber mat 92 and a clothcover 94 thereover, and a hollow rectangular holder 96 receiving the mat92 therein and adhesively secured thereto. The mat 92 is a generallyrectangular body having a flat outer inking surface 98 and a concaveinner inkreceiving surface 100. The edges of the mat are provided with asealing layer 102 of adhesive-sealer.

The holder 96 forms an ink reservoir 104 with the pad 90, for containingink between the inner surface 106 of the holder and the inner surface100 of the mat 92. Reinforcing ribs 107 on the holder extend between itsinner surface 106 and the mat inner surface 100. An ink inlet opening108 is provided in the center of the holder 96, in communication withthe reservoir 104. Fastening or mounting screws 110 are mounted in theholder 96 and project outwardly therefrom, for fastening the pad unit 82in the stamp 80. The cover 94 extends over the inking surface 98 of themat 92, to provide an inking surface 112 on the pad 90, and around theedges of the pad unit 82, where it is adhesively secured to the outerperiphery of the holder 96.

The frame 84, preferably constructed in this embodiment of metal,includes integral outwardly extending tabs 114 and 116, in pairs ofspaced tabs located at the ends of the frame on opposite sides thereof,and a circular central opening 118 bordered by a raised frame portion120. A rectangular gasket 122 is interposed between the frame 84 and theholder 96. The fastening screws extend through holes in the gasket I22and the frame 84 for securing the pad unit 82 thereto by thumb nuts 124engaging the outer surface of the frame.

The adapter 86 is a conventional circular connecting member preferablyconstructed of metal, and it is mounted in the central opening 118 ofthe frame 84. The adapter has a bottle receiving recess 126 in registerwith a dispensing opening 128, and the wall of the recess is threadedinternally. A flanged neck portion 130 of the adapter is crimped overthe inner surface of the raised frame portion 120 to secure the adapter86 to the frame 84. A circular gasket 132 is interposed between theadapter 86 and the rectangular gasket 122, to increase the gasketthickness in this area for a tight seal. Openings are provided in thegaskets 122 and 132 in register with the holder inlet opening 108 andthe adapter dispensing opening 128.

The squeeze bottle 88 is a conventional article, preferably constructedof resilient plastic, and it includes a threaded neck 134 threadedlyengaged in the recess 126 of the adapter. An O-ring seal 136 isinterposed between the end of the bottle neck 134 and the base of theadapter recess 126. It will be noted that no valving need be providedfor supply of ink from or return ink flow to the squeeze bottle 88.

The stamp 80 is supplied to the user with the squeeze bottle 88 separatefrom the remainder of the stamp, filled with ink and capped. In use, thebottle neck 134 is threaded into the adapter 86, and ink from the bottleis supplied through the dispensing opening 128 and the holder inletopening 108 to the reservoir 104, by normal flow supplemented with handpressure on the bottle, as may be preferable. Ink is absorbed from thereservoir through the inner surface 100 of the mat 92 and permeates themat homogeneously throughout. The mat may or may not also be pre-inked.

The stamp 80 is intended for use with a stencil mounted on the inkingsurface 112 of the pad 90, as in the preceding embodiments. Also, meansare provided for securing a stencil on the inking surface 112, whichmeans are generally conven tional. A hinge pin 138 is mounted insuitable openings in the tabs 114 of one side of the frame 84. A clamp140 is pivotally mounted on the hinge pin 138, and it includes a bentpreferably metal strip 142 and a generally rectangular wire ring 144terminating in a bent finger-operated latch member 146. The ring 144 issecured within the bent strip 142, so that members pivot together. Thestrip 142 terminates in a pinch flange 148.

Employing the stamp 80, one side margin of a stencil is first placed onthe side edge of the pad 90 adjacent to the pinch flange 148, with theclamp 140 swung down and away from the pad 90. The end margins of thestencil extend beyond the end edges of the pad 90 at this time. Theclamp 140 then is swung about the hinge pin 138, so that the pinchflange 148 pinches the side margin of the stencil against the adjacentedges of the pad 90, while the ends 144a of the ring 144 engage andclamp the end margins of the stencil against the adjacent end edges ofthe pad 90. The latch member 146 snaps over and engages the top of theframe 84, to clamp the stencil securely on the pad 90, ready for use.The stencil is removed simply by disengaging the latch member 146 fromthe frame 84, swinging the clamp 140 outwardly from the pad 90, andlifting the stencil off of the pad.

The stamp 80 is constructed for extended use, so long as the pad unit 82and particularly the cover 94 thereof remain serviceable, with need onlyfor substituting a fresh bottle 88 filled with ink from time to time asthe ink supply is exhausted. If necessary or desirable, the pad unit 82may be replaced periodically, removing the thumb nuts 124 for thispurpose, removing the pad unit 82 and inserting a new unit, and securingthe new unit by the thumb nuts.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a rocker-type of stencil holding hand stamp150 having a disposable inking pad unit 152 and generally conventionalmeans for securing a stencil on the surface of the inking pad thereof.The rocker type of stamp is intended for use by rocking the inking orprinting surface on a surface to be printed, and is frequently preferredas more reliably providing good prints, especially in the larger sizes.

The stamp 150 includes the pad unit 152, a generally rectangular metalframe 154, metal clamps 156 mounted on opposite sides of the frame, anda handle 158 securing the parts together. The pad unit 152 includes aconcavo-convex porous bonded glass fiber mat 160 having a convex outerinking surface 162 and a concave inner surface 164. As in the priorembodiments, a sealing layer 172 of adhesive-sealer is provided on theedges of the mat 160. A pad holder 166 is adhesively secured to theedges of the mat, and a cloth cover 168 extends over the inking surface162 of the mat and is secured to the edges of the holder, the coverproviding an inking surface 170 on the pad unit.

A nut member 174 is secured on the inner surface of the holder 166, anda central opening 176 having threaded walls extends through the memberand through the holder, in register with a corresponding opening in theframe 154. An inner gasket 178 is interposed between the holder 166 andthe frame 154, and an outer gasket 179 is interposed between the frame154 and the handle 158. The handle 158 is provided with a threaded end180, which is inserted through the outer gasket 179, the frame 154, andthe inner gasket 178 into threaded engagement in the opening 176, tosecure the parts together.

The clamps 156 include stencil holding strips 182 having bent ends 184extending along opposite sides of the pad unit 152. Finger-operatedlevers 186 are integral with the strips 182 and extend upwardly throughslots in the frame 154, for pivotal movement of the clamps 156 on theframe. Actuating flanges 188 are integral with the strips 182 and extendinwardly therefrom beneath the frame 154.

Flat springs 190 are mounted to the undersurface of the frame 154 atopposite ends thereof, by means of screws 192, supporting strips 194beneath the springs, and nuts 196. The opposite ends of the springsextend beneath the actuating flanges 188 on the clamps 156, engaging theflanges and biasing them upwardly to urge the holding strips 182 intoclamping position against the pad unit 152. The clamps are opened bymoving the levers 186 thereof towards the handle 158.

The rocker hand stamp 150 is intended for use with preinked pad units152 which are discarded when exhausted and replaced, while the remainderof the stamp remains in service. A stencil is held in place on theinking surface 170 of the pad unit 152 by placing the stencil on thesurface with opposite side margins thereof extending beyond the sides ofthe pad unit, while the clamps 156 are opened by the levers 186, andthen releasing the levers to clamp the side margins of the stencilagainst the pad unit. In this connection, there is greater need forstencil securing means on the rocker type stamps than on the flatstamps, inasmuch as the stencils are more prone to wrinkle on theformer.

FIG. 12 illustrates a rocker type stencilholding hand stamp 200 likethat of FIGS. and 1 l, with the addition of structure like that of FIGS.7 and 8 for supplying the stamp with ink. The stamp 200 includes a padunit 202, which is like the pad unit 152 of FIGS. 10 and 11, having abonded glass fiber mat 201, a pad holder 203 secured thereto, and acloth cover 205 thereover providing an inking surface 207 on the unit.In this case, the pad unit 202 is intended for extended use with its inkcontent being replenished as it is consumed, although the pad unit 202may be removed and replaced if desired.

The stamp 200 is modified from the stamp 150 of FIGS. 10 and 1 1 in theuse of screws 204 to secure the frame 206 to the pad unit 202. Thescrews are inserted through aligned holes in the frame 206, a gasket 208and the pad holder 203 into nuts 212 on the inner surface of the holder203. A squeeze bottle 214 serving as an ink container and handle ismounted by means of an adapter 216 secured to a raised frame portion 218having a second gasket 220 therebeneath, all in the manner describedwith reference to the corresponding parts in FIGS. 7 and 8. Ink issupplied from the bottle 214 to a reservoir 224 formed by the pad holder203 and the mat 201, from which the ink is absorbed by the mat.

Clamp structure identical to that illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 1 l isemployed, of which only the springs 222 corresponding to the springsshown in such views and their mounting structure are illustrated. Thestencil is secured on the pad unit 202 as in the embodiment of FIGS. 10and 11.

FIGS. 13-15 illustrate a cylinder type stencil drum 230 for a mimeographduplicating machine, which incorporates an inking pad 232 according tothe invention to provide improved metering and obviate leakage. Exceptfor the use of the inking pad 232 and associated structure, the stencildrum and the remainder of the machine, not illustrated, are conventionalin label printing machines.

The stencil drum 230 includes a pair of spaced parallel generallycircular end plates 234 and 235, provided with shaftreceiving slots 236.A V-shaped cover plate 238 extends between the end plates 234 and 235,adjacent the inner ends of the slots 236, and is mounted on supportingplates 239 secured to the end plates.

The inking pad 232 is an elongated arcuate structure curved circularlyabout the longitudinal axis of the drum. The pad includes a porous mat240 of bonded glass fibers having an outer inking surface 242 and innerink-receiving surface 244, and a cloth cover 246 adhesively securedaround its periphery to the inking surface 242 of the mat and providingan outer inking surface 248 on the pad. All edges of the mat 240 aresealed by a layer 250 of adhesive-sealer. The pad 232 is mounted on thesupporting plates 239 and secured thereto, and is also secured at itsend edges to the end plates 234 and 235, and at its side edges to thecover plate 238, by a layer of the same adhesive.

As in the preceding embodiments, the mat 240 provides an ink reservoiron the drum. The cover plate 238 and the mat provide an additional inkreservoir 252 communicating with the inner surface 244 of the mat 240,for continuously supplying replacement ink to the mat. Ink is suppliedto the reservoir 252 through a filler tube- 254 in a correspondingopening in one end plate 235, the filler tube being closed by a cap 256when not being used.

A stencil clamp assembly 258 includes a rod 260 extending through holes262 in the end plates 234 and 235 and terminating in a lever 264extending across the end plates 235. The lever is biased in theclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 13, by spring means not shown. Afingerpiece 266 is pivotally mounted on the end plate 235 by means of ascrew 268, and a cam portion 270 of the fingerpiece normally preventsthe lever 264 from turning. When the fingerpiece is operated in theclockwise direction, it permits the lever to turn in the clockwisedirection, thus releasing the clamp.

The stencil clamp 258 also includes clip-mounting bars 272 fixedlysecured to the rod 260, and an angular stencil clip 274 secured to theends of the bars. In use, the clip engages an edge of the coverplate238, for clamping the end of a stencil therebetween. When a stencil isto be inserted or removed, the fingerpiece 266 is operated to releasethe lever 264 and permit clockwise rotation thereof under spring bias,whereby the clip 274 also rotates in the clockwise direction to leave aspace between the clip and the cover plate 238 for stencil movement.After clamping one end of the stencil in place, the remainder of thestencil is carried around the inking pad 232 on the inking surface 248thereof, after which the drum 230 is rotated in the clockwise directionfor inking or printing a series of sheets in ink-transmitting relationto the drum, in conventional manner.

The drum 230 is mounted on a drive shaft 276 extending through the endplate slots 236, and the shaft is journalled on the frame of themachine, represented schematically by the member 278 shown in brokenlines in FIG. 15. The drum and the drive shaft are interconnected forrotation together, by means of a lug 280 secured to the shaft by a setscrew 282, and a drive pin 284 press-fitted in a corresponding opening286 in the lug and slip-fitted in an enlarged opening 288 in one endplate 234. The drive shaft is locked in place adjacent the remaining endplate 235 (see FIG. 13) by a cam latch 290 pivotally mounted on theplate 235 by a screw 292 and held in latching position by a coil spring294 attached to a pin 295 on the end plate. The shaft is unlatched byturning the latch 290 in the counterclockwise direction against thespring tension. The shaft is driven by means of a sprocket 296 fastenedto the drive shaft 276 at the opposite end thereof, and a link chain 298coupling the sprocket with a drive motor, not shown.

While the illustrative stencil drum 230 is designed for rotation about ahorizontal axis for printing labels and the like, similar apparatusconstructed for rotation of a stencil drum about a vertical axis may beemployed for printing on vertical surfaces, owing to the unique fluidretention characteristics of the inking pad 232 and particularly the mat240 thereof. Such apparatus may be used to advantage for marking bothsides of cartons on conveyor lines, for example.

FIGS. 16-18 illustrate offset printing apparatus according to theinvention in a label printing machine. The machine is like that employedfor mimeograph duplication in FIGS. 13-15, except that the stencil drum230 has been removed and replaced by the offset printing apparatus.Previously, other offset printing apparatus had been employed in themachine, including a gravure inking roll, an ink bath, and a doctorblade. The apparatus of the present invention may be employed in placeof the prior apparatus, or together with such apparatus for specialapplications, such as printing certain areas in color.

The offset printing apparatus includes a mat drum 300 having alongitudinal slot 302 therein, which receives the same shaft 276illustrated in FIGS. 13-15. The shaft is journalled on the frame 278,secured to the mat drum for rotation therewith, and driven in the samemanner as in the embodiment of FIGS. 13-15, and like numerals areapplied to like parts. The drive pin 284 is received in slip-fittingengagement in a recess 304 in the mat drum 300.

A rubber printing mat 306 having raised characters 305 is mounted on abrass backing 307 on the drum 300 for printing labels, all in aconventional manner. An ink roller attachment 308 according to theinvention is mounted on the frame 278 for inking the characters 305 onthe printing mat 306. The attachment is supported by mounting brackets310 secured to the frame 278, and a transverse mounting bar 312. Asupport block 314 in the attachment is seated on the mounting bar 312,and the attachment is transversely adjustably secured to the bar bymeans of a mounting screw 316 on the support block. I

The support block 314 mounts a rocker arm 318 for swing ing movement ona pivot rod 320 extending from the block. A pressure adjusting screw 322is movably mounted on a bar 324 on the block 314, and is threaded intothe rocker arm 318. A coil compression spring 326 is interposed betweenthe bar 324 and the rocker arm 318, and is held in place by insertion ofthe screw 322 therethrough. The adjusting screw is turned for raising orlowering the rocker arm 318, and the compression spring maintains thearm under predetermined downward or inward pressure. A pressure releaselever 328 engages the rocker arm 318 for raising or withdrawing therocker arm against the spring pressure by operation of the lever.

A roll mounting stub shaft 330 is journalled for rotation on the rockerarm 318 and is movable therewith about the pivot rod 320, to and fromthe mat drum 300. An inking roll assembly 332 is mounted on the rollmounting shaft for rotation therewith. The assembly includes a tubularcore 334 received on the shaft 330 in frictional engagement therewith,and a tubular inking roll or pad 336 adhesively secured to the core. Ahandling knob 338 having a central bore 339 is inserted into the core334 in frictional engagement therewith. A quickrelease fastener 340includes a connecting rod 342 which is inserted through the knob bore339 into a corresponding recess 344 in the roll mounting shaft 330 forremovably securing the inking roll assembly 332 on the shaft. A guardplate 345 is mounted on the support block 314 and extends across theface of the inking roll 336 in spaced relation thereto.

The inking roll 336 includes a tubular porous mat 346 of bonded glassfibers, having an outer peripheral inking surface 347 and layers 348 ofadhesive-sealer on the ends thereof. A cloth cover 350 is mounted on theouter surface 347 of the mat 346 therearound and is adhesively securedthereto adjacent the ends of the mat. The cover provides an outercylindrical inking surface 352 on the inking roll 336. The inking rollis saturated with ink prior to use.

In operation, the inking roll 336 is urged against the rubber mat 306under the pressure of the compression spring 326 as the mat is rotated,and the inking roll is rotated by engagement with the mat. Thecharacters 305 on the rubber mat 306 are inked by the inking roll 336,and labels or other sheets are printed by transfer of the ink from thecharacters thereto. When not in use, the lever 328 is operated towithdraw the inking roll 336 from engagement with the mat 306, therebypreventing the roll from inking the mat and also avoiding the formationof a depression in the roll by continued pressure thereon. The inkingroll assembly 332 is used until its ink content is exhausted, afterwhich it may be discarded. Alternatively, the inking roll assembly maybe re-inked and returned to service, so long as it remains in goodcondition.

The ink roller attachment 308 and similar structure according to theinvention eliminate the need for ink baths, doctor blades, ink transferrollers, and the like as previously employed. Such attachment andsimilar structures may replace prior apparatus or may be added toexisting machinery or equipment to perform additional inking functions.

The porous mats of bonded glass fibers employed in the invention, suchas the mats 22 (FIGS. 1-4), 52 (FIGS. 5 and 6), 92 (FIGS. 7-9), (FIGS.10 and 11), 201 (FIG. 12), 240 (FIGS. 13-15), and 346 (FIGS. 16-18),employed in the illustrative embodiments, preferably are made in themanner disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,063,887, also preferably beingbonded with a thermosetting resin binder as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,004,941, the mats being wound on mandrels in the process ofmanufacture according to the first-mentioned patent so as to provide thehereinafter-described mat density. Prior to the invention, products madein such manner have been employed in filters for pressure filtration ofink materials, paints, gasoline, and other materials. However, so far asis known, applicants were the first to discover and utilize theoutstanding fluid retention and other characteristics in inking pads,devices and methods, to solve the hitherto unsolved problems of inkingoperations and provide marked advantages and improvements over the priorinking art.

The mat structures employed in the inking pads of the present inventionare constructed according to U.S. Pat. No. 3,063,887, by producing glassfibers and spraying them with aqueous-solvated liquid water-dilutablefusible resin compositions, as described in that patent and in U.S. Pat.No. 3,004,941, to produce a loose, unbonded or uncured fiber mat. Themat is wound on a mandrel to provide the desired density and thethermosetting binder thereof is cured, as described in U.S. Pat. No.3,063,887. A high degree of control and resulting uniformity is achievedin this manner.

Cylindrical tubular mat products are formed, and the mat bodies employedin the present invention are cut therefrom to proper size and shape foruse in the inking pads. In view of the configuration of the products,they are readily cut into the desired concavo-convex mat articlesemployed in the inking pads of the embodiments of FIGS. 10-18. When aflat outer surface is desired on the mat, as in the embodiments of FIGS.1-9, the product is cut to provide such outer surface, while the innerstu'face remains concave and may serve to provide the desired reservoir,such as the reservoirs 35, 78, and 104 in FIGS. 1-9. In general, forconsiderations of structural strength as well as ink capacity, it ispreferred that the resulting mat thickness be a minimum of aboutone-fourth inch. A thickness of about one-half to three-fourths inch isgenerally adequate and preferred.

The mat employed in the inking pad of the invention is formed of glassfibers preferably having an average diameter of up to about 10 microns,more preferably, in the range of about 1.5-10 microns. It will beunderstood that in the process of manufacture, both larger and smallerdiameter fibers are formed, and the foregoing values are averagediameters. In the illustrative embodiments of the invention, the averageglass fiber diameter is in the range of about 4-8 microns. While thereasons for the improved results of the invention are not fully known,and without wishing to be bound by any theoretical considerations, itwould appear that the outstanding fluid retention properties of the matare derived from the physical properties of the fibers, and conditionsof surface tension and capillarity. The fibers are randomly oriented,and the void spaces or pores are in communication throughout the mat, sothat ink is absorbed and homogeneously distributed throughout the mat,and thereafter is evenly dispersed to the mat surface. The mat islacking in interference to liquid flow such as encountered in foamrubber, plastics and the like.

The glass fibers are bonded together with a thermosetting resin binderto provide a porous mat. In the preferred embodiments of the invention,the binder comprises a phenol-formaldehyde resin, more preferably, acured mixture of phenol-formaldehyde and dicyandiamide-formaldehydepartial condensates, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,004,941.Alternatively, it is contemplated in the invention that otherthermosetting resins may be employed as the binder, including, forexample, urea, melamine, and other phenol resins, particularly aldehydecondensation products including preferably urea-formaldehyde andmelamine-formaldehyde as well as phenol-formaldehyde resins.

The preferred mixtures of phenol-formaldehyde anddicyandiamide-formaldehyde partial condensates, which are cured toprovide the resin binder, are liquid reaction products of about 0.8-3mols, preferably 1.5-2.5 mols of formaldehyde per mol of phenol, andabout 0.5-2 mols, preferably 1.2-1.6 mols of formaldehyde per mol ofdicyandiamide, for the respective condensates. The proportion ofdicyandiamide formaldehyde partial condensate in the liquid condensatemixture may be up to about 50 percent by weight of the solids. In theillustrative embodiments, a liquid mixture of partial condensates isprepared as described in Example III of U.S. Pat. No. 3,004,941. The molratios are about 2.2 mols of formaldehyde reacted with each mol ofphenol, and about 1.6 mols of formaldehyde reacted with each mol ofdicyandiamide. The dicyandiamide-formaldehyde partial condensateconstitutes about 45 percent by weight of the condensate mixture, on asolids basis.

The thermosetting resin binder preferably is present in a proportion ofabout 5-35 percent by weight of the mat. It is further preferred thatthe binder proportion be about 8-25 percent of the mat, particularlywhen employing a cured mixture of phenol-formaldehyde anddicyandiamide-formaldehyde partial condensates as the binder.

The glass fiber mat may be produced according to the aforesaid U.S. Pat.No. 3,063,887 with a density controlled by the manner and tightness ofwinding the initial mat material on a mandrel, so that desired matproduct densities are achieved within a tolerance of about plus or minusone-half pound per cubic foot of mat product volume. The mat employedin. the invention preferably has a density selected to provide fromrelatively slight to very little compressibility under hand pressure,whereby there are no problems of unwanted ink expression due tocompression, or leakage of ink, and good structural strength isachieved, especially in machine applications, while maintainingsufficient porosity.

The mat employed in the invention preferably has a density of about 5-15pounds per cubic foot, more preferably abut 7-12 pounds per cubic foot.The lower density mats, up to about 9.5 pounds per cubic foot, haveproven to be preferable for flat hand stamps, providing a slightcompressibility for printing on surfaces not perfectly flat. Suchdensities also are preferable for both flat and rocker type disposablepad hand stamps or printers, and for other applications employingdisposable or non-refillable inking pads, such as inking rolls.

In such cases, normal hand or machine pressure enables more of the inkcontent of the mat to be dispersed to the surface for printing,providing a higher yield of usable ink. The mats of higher density,ranging up from about 10 pounds per cubic foot, are preferred for use inrefillable inking pad applications, where compressibility is not neededfor surface printing, as in the rocker type hand stamps, and refillablestencil drums and inking rolls. The higher structure strength of thedenser materials is especially desirable for machine applications, and alower ink yield is of no consequence when the ink content is replenishedfrom a reservoir.

The saturation capacity of the mat does not vary appreciably withdensity in the preferred ranges, for example, being about 0.5 fluidounce per cubic inch of mat for mat densities of about 7-12 pounds percubic foot as in the illustrative specific embodiments of the mat. Intests'employing ink-saturated mat bodies having an average glass fiberdiameter of 4.5 microns 18-20 percent of binder by weight of the mat,and a mat thickness of three-fourths inch, at a pressure of three ouncesper square inch applied to the mat, about 5 1 percent of the ink contentwas dispersed for printing from an 8.3 pound density mat, about 37percent from a 9.8 pound density mat, about 9 percent from a 10.5 pounddensity mat, and about 2 percent from an 1 1.9 pound density mat.

Other illustrative mats prepared according to the preferred embodimentsof the invention and found suitable for use in refillable rocker typehand stamps and stencil drums include a mat having an average glassfiber diameter of 4.5 microns, a density of 10 pounds per cubic foot,and a binder content of 9 percent by weight; and a mat having an averagefiber diameter of 7 microns, a density of 12 pounds per cubic foot. anda binder content of 9 percent. For applications where slightcompressibility is desired, similar materials having lower densities, asdescribed above, may be employed to best advantage.

The glass fiber mat of the invention may be employed alone as an inkingpad, if desired. However, in general, it is preferred that the inkingpad also include a cloth cover or the like on the surface of the mat,which provides an inking surface on the pad. Illustrative covers areindicated in the drawings by the reference numerals 24 (FIGS. 1-4), 54(FIGS. 5 and 6), 94 (FIGS. 7-9), 168 (FIGS. 10 and 11), 205 (FIG. 12),246 (FIGS. 13-15), and 350 (FIGS. 16-18);

The cloth vcover performs several functions: It assists in providingeven application of ink and control of ink metering; it preventsfeathering and avoids fiber texturing of printed characters; and itprevents peeling of the mat material, especially in rotating use. Ingeneral, any fabric may be used, such as silk, cotton, rayon andsynthetics, with proper selection for the specific use and for the typeof ink employed. As examples, cotton flannel is generally suitable,muslin is advantageous for inking rolls, and oxford cloth isadvantageous in providing more restricted flow for fine print anddetail. The cloth cover tends to spread the ink most evenly over thesurface of the inking pad. When printing through a stencil, a clothcover avoids fiber texturing on the resulting print where large printopenings are involved, although such texturing may not appear when usingtyped stencils. The cover may be secured by adhesive or other suitablemeans to the mat. If desired, the cover may be detachable, especiallywhere it suffers from wear, as in stencil drums.

The inking pad is readily impregnated with ink, e.g., by immersion atambient temperature and pressure for about one hour for completesaturation, or at high temperature and/or pressure for shorter periodsof time. Ink absorption is sufficient to maintain saturation when incontact with a supply of replacement ink. Owing to the materials ofwhich the mat is formed, there is no apparent practical limitation onthe type of ink that might be employed, all printers inks yet testedhaving proven to e entirely suitable, and the pad is not swollen,distorted, or attacked by the inks.

Employing mat structures having the above-described mat densities, it ismerely necessary for the inking pad to be contacted with or placed inink-transmitting relation to a surface to be inked, for effectiveinking. The ink reservoir provided by the mat disperses ink containedtherein to the surface thereof as rapidly as it is removed by acontacting surface, without need for any appreciable compression of thepad. The only need for slight compression of the inking pad is whencontacting flat surfaces with the flat hand stamps, to accommodateprinting surface irregularities, as described above. At the same time,the slight compressibility of the lower density materials does provide agreater ink yield and therefore may be preferable in throwaway ornon-refillable inking pads. The mat having the characteristics describedabove is resilient, so that it regains its original shape and contourafter being compressed.

The mat inherently possesses excellent metering properties, which arefurther accentuated by the cloth cover. Metering is constant for thevarious types of ink and unaffected by variations in viscosity.Consequently, the prior common problem of poor metering and resultingvariations in inking are overcome most advantageously. improvements Theinvention thus provides an inking pad constituting a marked improvementin the art, providing corresponding improvements in inking devicesemploying the pad and increasing the range and versatility of operation,and a new and improved method of supplying ink to a surface evenly andwith controlled flow of ink employing the new inking pad. While a numberof preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerousother applications of the invention may be made and various changes andmodifications may be made, within the spirit and scope of the invention.It is intended that such applications, changes and modifications beincluded within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An inking device including: means for mounting an inking pad fortransmitting ink to a surface to be inked; and an inking pad on saidmounting means and formed of a porous mat of randomly oriented glassfibers having an average diameter of 15-10 microns bonded with athermosetting resin binder in an amount of 5-35 percent by weight of themat, said mat having a density of 5-15 pounds per cubic foot andproviding an ink reservoir which disperses ink to the surface thereofwhen ink is contained therein, and a cloth cover on the surface of saidmat providing an inking surface on the pad.

2. An inking device according to claim 1 wherein said binder comprises aphenol-formaldehyde resin.

3. An inking device according to claim 2 wherein said binder comprises acured mixture of phenol-formaldehyde and dicyandiamide-formaldehydepartial condensates.

4. An inking device according to claim 1 having an ink contained in saidmat.

5. An inking deice according to claim 4 wherein said binder comprises acured mixture of phenol-formaldehyde and dicyandiamide-formaldehydepartial condensates present in a amount of about 8-25 percent by weightof the mat, and said mat has a density of about 71 2 pounds per cubicfoot.

6. An inking device according to claim 5 wherein said glass fibers havean average diameter of about 4-8 microns.

7. An inking device according to claim 1 including a stencil drum havingmeans for mounting an inking pad for mimeograph duplication.

8. An inking device according to claim 1 including handle means attachedto said mounting means and providing a hand stamp therewith for manuallyplacing the inking pad in inktransmitting relation to a surface to beinked.

9. An inking device according to claim 1 wherein said inking padcomprises an inking roll mounted on rotatable mounting means fortransferring ink in offset printing.

2. An inking device according to claim 1 wherein said binder comprises a phenol-formaldehyde resin.
 3. An inking device according to claim 2 wherein said binder comprises a cured mixture of phenol-formaldehyde and dicyandiamide-formaldehyde partial condensates.
 4. An inking device according to claim 1 having an ink contained in said mat.
 5. An inking deice according to claim 4 wherein said binder comprises a cured mixture of phenol-formaldEhyde and dicyandiamide-formaldehyde partial condensates present in a amount of about 8-25 percent by weight of the mat, and said mat has a density of about 7-12 pounds per cubic foot.
 6. An inking device according to claim 5 wherein said glass fibers have an average diameter of about 4-8 microns.
 7. An inking device according to claim 1 including a stencil drum having means for mounting an inking pad for mimeograph duplication.
 8. An inking device according to claim 1 including handle means attached to said mounting means and providing a hand stamp therewith for manually placing the inking pad in ink-transmitting relation to a surface to be inked.
 9. An inking device according to claim 1 wherein said inking pad comprises an inking roll mounted on rotatable mounting means for transferring ink in offset printing. 